Mineral 1.0Test your knowledge of specific minerals

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KaoliniteAl2Si2O5(OH)4

Class: Silicate
Subclass: Phyllosilicate
Hardness: 2 - 2.5
Density: 2.6
Streak: White
Lustre: Earthy
Habit: Fine-grained aggregate, powdery.
Colours: White

  Crystal System: Triclinic
Cleavage: Perfect basal
Fracture: Uneven
Magnetism: None
Reaction with HCl: Unknown

Identification in hand sample:
Distinctive "clayey" smell, hardness and colour are indicative.

Industrial / ecomonic uses:
Paper coating/filler, drilling mud additive, ceramics, cosmetics, building supplies, cement, pharmaceuticals and even food.

  

Inaccurate data? Better photos? .